interiors

The History and Development of Fire Retardant Fabrics

The History and Development of Fire Retardant Fabrics

The history of fire retardant fabrics is a long and fascinating one. Notably, FR fabrics have been around for centuries, with their first recorded use dating back to the Roman Empire. Since then, they have found applications in various contexts, from safeguarding soldiers in battle to shielding firefighters from burns.

Over the years, the exact composition of fire retardant fabrics has evolved, but their fundamental purpose remains consistent: to slow down or stop the spread of fire.

The History of Fire Retardant Fabrics

FR fabrics trace their origins back to the late 18th century, a response to the Great Fire of London. Initially, the first fire-resistant fabric emerged by adding alum to wool, rendering the wool somewhat more FR, though it proved ineffective.

Moving into the early 19th century, FR fabrics were refined using borax as the fire-retardant agent. While an improvement over alum, these fabrics were still not without shortcomings.

As the late 19th century approached, FR fabrics saw further development, incorporating an array of different chemicals as fire-retardant agents. These fabrics represented a significant advancement in effectiveness, yet their increased efficacy came at a higher cost.

In the early 20th century, a wave of new FR fabrics surfaced, many of which were constructed from synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon. These innovative fabrics exhibited superior fire-prevention qualities, rapidly establishing themselves as the industry standard.

The Development of Fire Retardant Fabrics

Today, many different types of FR fabrics are available in the market and are used in various applications. Each fabric type has its unique set of properties that make it more or less effective at resisting fire. Here is a brief overview of some of the most popular types of fire retardant fabrics:

1. Nomex

Nomex is a synthetic fibre that was developed specifically for use in FR fabrics. It is highly effective at resisting fire and is often used in military and industrial applications.

2. Kevlar

Kevlar is another synthetic fibre that is often used in FR fabrics. It is very strong and resistant to fire, making it an ideal choice for use in firefighter uniforms and other protective clothing.

3. FR Cotton

FR Cotton is a type of fire retardant fabric that is made from cotton that has been treated with a fire retardant chemical. Cotton is effective at resisting fire and is often used in clothing for children and adults.

4. Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fibre that is often used in fire-retardant fabrics. It is resistant to fire and is often used in industrial applications.

5. Rayon

Rayon is a natural fibre that is often used in FR fabrics. It is not as effective at resisting fire as some other fabrics on this list, but it is still a good choice for clothing.

6. Viscose

Viscose is a synthetic fibre that is often used in FR fabrics. However, it is not as effective at resisting fire as some of the other fibres on the market, but it is still used in many applications due to its low cost and easy availability.

Conclusion

Fire retardant fabrics have a long and rich history, dating back to ancient times. Today, these fabrics are used in a wide variety of applications, from protective clothing to industrial applications. 

There are many different types of FR fabrics available, each with its advantages and disadvantages. However, all fire retardant fabrics share one common goal: to help keep people safe from fire, and they will continue to do so for many years to come.

Finally, when choosing the right FR fabric, you need to take into account the type of fabric you need, the type of fire you are trying to protect against, and the level of protection you need. Direct Fabrics has a wide range of bespoke flame-retardant fabrics. Whether you are in the hotel industry, schools, care homes, or more, we have the curtains for you. Get in touch with us to learn more about our products.

5 Tips on How to Select The Best Window Treatment

5 Tips on How to Select The Best Window Treatment

Are you readily swayed by aesthetics? One of the most fun yet difficult decisions you'll have to make when choosing window treatments is the colour. Should you try to reach a compromise or take the chance of going with a quickly outmoded trend? Now feel at ease! You may choose a window treatment colour that you'll love for years to come by paying attention to these recommendations—whether you buy aesthetically stylish blinds or fire-resistant curtains.

Enhance The Window Trim 

The blinds or shades should be coordinated with the colour of the window trim, according to this tried-and-true technique. Because the bulk of the trim in this neutral style is white or off-white, there won't be any decor conflicts. Choose this if you don't want the windows to take over the room. This timeless aesthetic won't go out of style any time soon if you suffer from analytical paralysis.

A Hue That Goes Well With Your Walls

Your property will appear safe and affluent if your blinds match the colour of your walls. This method makes it simple to follow the current trend of tone-on-tone ensembles. 

For a complementary pattern that doesn't feel unduly heavy, you can also select a colour that is a few shades lighter than the colour of your walls. Specialists will help you find a close match if you know the name of the paint colour you currently have.

Draw Attention to Current Fixtures or Flooring

Do you have stunning rugs, cabinetry, or flooring? You may easily add natural wood tones to your windows by matching the window coverings to other surfaces or pieces of furniture. 

To complement any design theme, woven wood shades, wood shutters, wood blinds, and even faux wood blinds are offered in various natural colours and stains.

You can also match the fabrics of fabric window treatments with other design elements like pillows, books, carpets, or accent chairs to highlight the colours. Your favourite rug or fabric sofa would look even better with a gorgeous Roman shade, roller shade, or piece of drapery.

Select a Bold Colour

When coupled with white or other neutral colours, a bright colour, like 2020's colour of the year, Classic Blue, undoubtedly makes a statement and unifies space.

However, this high-contrast style works well with neutrals and vibrant hues. A wood blind with a dark stain or a modern black shutter will stand out while still charming in a light-colour room.

To make a window even more of a focal point, think about utilising drapes that contrast with the wood's tones. Bright colours will look more at home in a space when they are mixed with a neutral layer.

Size of the Room

Is your house too small? By giving the window treatment a lighter colour, the space will look brighter, larger, and more open (pay attention, tiny homesteaders, and RVers). Small windows and dark paint colours may give the impression that the room is smaller. Therefore, wherever possible, err on the side of caution.

But consider painting larger areas or rooms with plenty of windows a darker colour to provide depth and foster a cosier environment. Consider how the space will look with the shades or blinds drawn and how much of that colour you'll see through them if there are large glass panes, such as a sliding door.

Conclusion 

Of course, you should also consider the functionality of window treatments over aesthetics. For instance, flame-retardant curtains and blinds are an effective way to protect your home from fire. They are made of a special material that is designed to resist burning and prevent the spread of fire. You should check them out along with fire-resistant bedding in the UK! 

Direct Fabric is a supplier of fabrics for hotels, nursing homes, schools, and other facilities. Buy flame-retardant blinds or Curtains from us today!

The Different Types of Blinds and How to Pick the Right One

The Different Types of Blinds and How to Pick the Right One

When it comes to choosing the right window treatments for your business, there are a lot of options out there. But when it comes to blinds, there are even more choices! There are so many different types of blinds on the market it can be hard to decide which ones are right for you. But don't worry! We're here to help.

In this blog post, we're going to go over the different types of blinds and how to choose the right ones for your business.

What Are Blinds?

First, let's start with the basics. Blinds are window treatments that cover your windows and can be opened and closed to control the amount of light that comes into your property. They're a great option if you want to have more control over the light, and they can also help with privacy.

What Types of Blinds Are Available?

Now that you know the basics, let's take a look at the different types of blinds that are available.

One of the most popular types of blinds is the roller blind. Roller blinds are made from a single piece of fabric that is rolled up or down to cover your window. They're a great option for any room where you want to be able to control the amount of light that comes in.

Another popular type of blind is the Venetian blind. Venetian blinds are made from a series of horizontal slats that can be tilted to control the amount of light that comes in. They're a great option for any room where you want to be able to adjust the light without having to open or close the blinds.

If you're looking for something a little different, you might want to consider Roman blinds. Roman blinds are made from a piece of fabric that is folded up or down to cover your window. They're a great option if you want a softer look for your window treatments.

Finally, if you're looking for something really unique, you might want to consider wooden blinds. Wooden blinds are made from a series of vertical or horizontal slats that are made from wood. They're a great option if you want to add a natural element to your property.

How Do I Pick the Right Type of Blinds?

There are a few things to consider when picking the right type of blinds for your property. Here are a few tips:

1. Consider the Function

Are you looking for something to block out light or add privacy? If so, then blackout blinds or privacy blinds are a good option. If you're looking for something to simply filter light or add a decorative touch, then light-filtering blinds or Roman blinds are a good option.

2. Consider the Room

The type of blinds you pick should be based on the function of the room. For example, if you're looking for blinds for a bedroom, then blackout blinds are a good option to help you sleep. If you're looking for blinds for a living room, then light-filtering blinds might be a better option so you can still see outside.

3. Consider Your Budget

Blinds can range in price from very affordable to quite expensive. It's important to consider your budget when picking the right type of blinds.

4. Consider the Installation

Some blinds are easier to install than others. If you're not confident in your ability to install blinds, then it's best to choose an option that is easy to install.

5. Consider the Warranty

Some blinds come with a warranty, and some don't. If you're looking for blinds that will last for a long time, then it's important to choose an option with a warranty.

Conclusion

Now that you're armed with the knowledge of the types of blinds out there and how to pick the right one, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and understand what your needs are and the type of blinds that best suit you. Just make sure to invest in high-quality ones to ensure durability and aesthetics, and if you can, have professionals install them for you. This can help maximise their reliability and also alleviates the burden of having to install them by yourself!

Direct Fabrics is a supplier of various fabrics for organisations such as schools, care homes, and so much more. If you are looking for flame retardant blinds and more, check out what we offer!